JP2004203390A - Liquid conservation container and cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inhibit a liquid adhered to an unpreferable portion advantageously in costs, and to reduce an initial amount of a reagent to be filled to control an increase in manufacturing costs. <P>SOLUTION: A cartridge X includes: one or more storage tanks 1A to 1E having upper openings 1Aa to 1Ea for storing a liquid including at least one of a reagent, a diluent and a detergent; one or more reaction tanks 2A to 2C having upper openings 2Aa to 2Ca for providing a reaction site; and a closure means X2 for closing the upper openings 1Aa to 1Ea and 2Aa to 2Ca. At least one of the storage tanks 1A to 1E and the reaction tanks 2A to 2C is equipped with an adhering liquid moving means 1Eb for moving downward the liquid adhering to the vicinity of the upper opening of the tank or the internal surface of the tank. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid storage container for storing a liquid, and a cartridge including a storage tank for holding a liquid.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a cartridge containing a liquid, as shown in FIG. 12 of the present application, there is a cartridge in which reagents 80a to 84a necessary for immunoassay are independently enclosed in a plurality of wells 80 to 84 (for example, see Patent Reference 1). The cartridge 8 includes a plurality of cells 85 to 87 for performing photometry after reacting a reagent with a sample, in addition to the wells 80 to 84, and is configured to be disposable. In the cartridge 8, as one of the reagents, for example, an immunoreactive substance having specific reactivity to a specific component in a sample is dispersed in a liquid while being supported on latex fine particles (latex dispersion liquid). Is used. On the other hand, the upper openings 80b to 87b of the plurality of wells 80 to 84 and the cells 85 to 87 are closed by a seal 88 so that the reagents 80a to 84a do not spill during storage or the like. In this configuration, the reagents 80a to 84a are all liquid, and the reagents 80a to 84a are taken out by breaking the seal 88 by the pipette nozzle and inserting the pipette nozzle into the wells 80 to 84.
[0003]
Normally, the cartridge 8 is stored so that the seal 88 is positioned on the upper side, but the liquid level of the reagents 80a to 84a is roughened by the user turning over the top or bottom or by shock or vibration during transportation. Sometimes. Then, as illustrated in the case of the well 84 in FIG. 13, the reagents 84a may adhere to the vicinity of the seal 88 and the upper opening 84b. The attached reagents 84a 'may fall off naturally and be removed, but the attached state to the seal 88 or the like may be maintained by the action of the surface tension of the reagents 84a'. It is not easy to remove the attached reagents 84a 'with a pipette nozzle, and if the reagents are attached in the above-described state, the amount of the reagents 84a' that can be used is actually reduced. Therefore, the amount of the reagents 80a to 84a to be accommodated in the wells 80 to 84 is set to the maximum amount of the reagents 80a to 84a which may be attached so as to be able to cope with the case where the reagents 80a to 84a are attached. Needs to be set as an addition. However, since a reagent such as a latex dispersion is expensive, it is necessary to minimize the amount of the reagent from the viewpoint of reducing the production cost.
[0004]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14 of the present application, in the medicine bottle 91 equipped with the stopper 90 through which the needle can be repeatedly penetrated, the medicinal solution is supplied to the vicinity of the top 92 a of the hollow space 92 of the stopper 90. There is a technique for suppressing adhesion (for example, see Patent Document 2). According to this technique, a vertically extending groove 93 is provided in a stopper 90, and the surface tension of the chemical solution attached near the top 92a is broken to return the chemical solution to the chemical bottle 91. However, if the stopper 90 of the illustrated form is used, there is a possibility that the liquid medicine 95 may adhere between the end portion 94 of the stopper 90 and the medicine bottle 91. Further, in a configuration that does not require repeated piercing of the needle as in the cartridge 8 described above (see FIG. 12), the use of the stopper 90 is disadvantageous in cost.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-318101 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-535213 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been conceived under such circumstances, and advantageously suppresses the maintenance of the state of adhesion of liquid to undesired portions in terms of cost, and reduces the initial reagent loading amount. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the manufacturing cost and increase the manufacturing cost.
[0007]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, the following technical measures are taken in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.
[0008]
That is, the liquid storage container provided by the first aspect of the present invention has an upper opening, and includes a storage portion for storing a liquid, and closing means for closing the upper opening. A liquid storage container, wherein the storage section is provided with an adhering liquid moving means for moving liquid adhering to the vicinity of the upper opening or the inner surface of the storage section toward the bottom of the storage section. It is characterized by having.
[0009]
The adhesion liquid moving means is provided, for example, on the inner surface of the storage section. The attached liquid moving means is typically formed as a concave portion or a convex portion so as to extend, for example, in the vertical direction. The attached liquid moving means may be formed so as to extend obliquely or spirally. It is preferable that the adhesion liquid moving means is formed such that the lower end of the adhesion liquid moving means comes into contact with a liquid surface in a state where the target amount of liquid is accommodated in the accommodation section. It is preferable that such an attached liquid moving means is formed integrally with the accommodation section by resin molding.
[0010]
The closing means is configured, for example, as a sheet material. On the other hand, the storage section is configured to store a liquid containing at least one of a reagent, a diluent, and a cleaning agent.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided one or more storage tanks having an upper opening and containing a liquid containing at least one of a reagent, a diluent, and a cleaning agent, and an upper opening. And a closing means for closing the upper opening, wherein the cartridge comprises one or more reaction vessels for providing a reaction field, and a closing means for closing the upper opening. Wherein at least one of the tanks is provided with an adhering liquid moving means for moving liquid adhering near the upper opening of the tank or on the inner surface of the tank downward. Is provided.
[0012]
Reagents include, for example, those necessary to generate an immune reaction. Typically, a solid particle is loaded with an immunoreactive substance showing specific reactivity to a specific component in a sample. And those dispersed in a liquid.
[0013]
The adhesion liquid moving means is provided, for example, on the inner surface of the storage tank or the reaction tank. The adhesion liquid moving means is formed, for example, as a concave or convex portion extending in the vertical direction, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention. Of course, the attached liquid moving means may be formed so as to extend diagonally or spirally. The adhesion liquid moving means is preferably formed such that the lower end of the adhesion liquid moving means contacts a liquid surface in a state where a target amount of liquid is accommodated in a storage tank or a reaction tank. It is preferable that such an attached liquid moving means is formed integrally with the accommodation section by resin molding.
[0014]
The closing means is configured, for example, as a sheet material, and when the cartridge has a plurality of storage tanks, is arranged so as to cover the reaction tanks collectively.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the cartridge according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIG. It is an enlarged plan view.
[0016]
The cartridge X shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is configured to measure the concentration of the component to be measured in blood by using a latex agglutination method. In order to cause The cartridge X includes a cartridge body X1 and a seal member X2 to which the cartridge body X1 is attached.
[0017]
The cartridge body X1 has a plurality of storage tanks 1A to 1E, a plurality of reaction tanks 2A to 2C, an adjustment tank 3, a waste tank 4, a sample tank 5, and a cuvette 6. The whole cartridge body X1 is formed transparent, for example, by molding using a transparent resin. However, in the cartridge body X1, if at least the reaction tanks 2A to 2C are formed transparent, it is not always necessary to form the entirety transparent. Further, the tanks 1A to 1E, 2A to 2C, 3 to 5 and the cuvette 6 The number, arrangement, shape, and the like are not limited to the illustrated example, and may be appropriately selected depending on the measurement target, the measurement method, and the like.
[0018]
Each of the storage tanks 1A to 1E is for storing a reagent, a diluting liquid, or a cleaning liquid necessary for measurement, and has upper openings 1Aa to 1Ea.
[0019]
The storage tank 1A stores a hemoglobin measurement reagent. The hemoglobin measurement reagent is used to measure the concentration of hemoglobin contained in red blood cells, and reacts with hemoglobin and, if it is capable of colorimetrically measuring the state after the reaction, various known ones can be used. Can be used. The reason for measuring the hemoglobin concentration is to calculate the hematocrit value (volume ratio of red blood cells in blood) from the hemoglobin concentration and correct the influence of the hematocrit value on the measurement.
[0020]
The storage tank 1B stores a diluent for hemolysis. The hemolysis diluent is used to destroy blood cell components in order to measure components in the blood cells, and for example, a saline solution containing saponin is used.
[0021]
The storage tank 1C stores a buffer used as a diluting liquid and a washing liquid. Any buffer may be used as long as it does not inhibit the reaction of hemoglobin or the immune reaction of the analyte and does not cause an error in the absorbance measurement of hemoglobin or the analyte.For example, physiological saline or bovine serum albumin is used. can do.
[0022]
The cleaning liquid is stored in the storage tank 1D. The cleaning liquid is for cleaning the pipette tip, and in the present embodiment, distilled water is used. Of course, a cleaning liquid other than distilled water can be used.
[0023]
A plurality of grooves 1Eb are formed in the storage tank 1E, and a latex suspension is stored therein. Each groove 1Eb constitutes an adhesion liquid moving means, and is formed in a V-shaped cross section extending in the vertical direction of the storage tank 1E. Such a groove 1Eb can be formed in the inner surface of the storage tank 1E by molding. As best seen in FIG. 4, each groove 1Eb has an upper end located at the upper opening 1Ea, an upper end contacting the seal member X2, and a lower end located below the liquid surface of the latex suspension. The lower end is in contact with the latex suspension. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the latex suspension adhered to the vicinity of the upper opening 1Ea and the seal member X2 is broken down by the groove 1Eb due to its surface tension, and falls downward along the groove 1Eb. Thereby, the decrease in the amount of the latex suspension that can be used is suppressed, and the amount of the latex suspension to be stored in the storage tank 1E can be minimized. As a result, the storage amount of the latex suspension can be reduced, and the production cost can be reduced.
[0024]
The latex suspension is obtained by dispersing, in a buffer solution, an immunoreactive substance having specific reactivity with the component to be measured, while the immunoreactive substance is supported on latex fine particles. Examples of the components to be measured include disease markers such as hepatitis virus, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, streptococcal toxin, and various enzymes. The immunoreactive substance is selected depending on the type of the substance to be measured. As the immunoreactive substance, for example, a substance which specifically shows an antigen-antibody reaction with the exemplified disease marker to produce an aggregate is used. Latex fine particles include, for example, latex beads made of polystyrene.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each of the reaction vessels 2A to 2C has upper openings 2Aa to 2Ca. The reaction tank 2A is used for adjusting a mixed solution of the diluted blood and the hemoglobin measuring reagent and measuring the absorbance of the mixed solution. That is, the reaction tank 2A is used to obtain the absorbance required for calculating the hemoglobin concentration. The reaction tank 2B is used for causing a latex agglutination reaction and measuring the absorbance at that time. The reaction tank 2C is used to measure a component to be measured different from that of the reaction tank 2B, to generate an immune reaction different from that of the reaction tank 2B, to measure the absorbance, or to check the reproducibility of the measurement. This is for measuring the absorbance by causing an immune reaction similar to that described above.
[0026]
The adjustment tank 3 is for adjusting blood, and has an upper opening 3a. The adjustment of the blood is performed by, for example, mixing the blood with a physiological saline stored in the storage tank 1C to dilute the blood.
[0027]
The disposal tank 4 is used for holding the pipette tip PT before using the cartridge X, and is used for disposing of an unnecessary liquid when using the cartridge X. The waste tank 4 has an upper opening 4a and a step 4b for locking the pipette tip PT. The pipette tip PT is used by being attached to a pipette nozzle (not shown) for performing a pipetting operation (aspiration and discharge of a liquid by the pipette nozzle).
[0028]
The sample tank 5 is used when blood is directly injected into the cartridge body X1. The cuvette 6 is used when a sample is set in the cartridge X in a state of being stored in a general-purpose small tube or the like. Which of the sample tank 5 and the cuvette 6 is used is up to the user, and in this case, the measuring device is configured to be able to change the sequence. In the measuring device, which of the sample tank 5 and the cuvette 6 is used is recognized by the user instructing the measuring device by button operation or the like.
[0029]
On the other hand, the sealing member X2 is for collectively closing the upper openings 1Aa to 1Ea, 2Aa to 2Ca, 3a of the tanks 1A to 1E, 2A to 2C, 3. However, the waste tank 4 may be closed at the same time by the seal member X2. The seal member X2 is made of, for example, a metal foil such as an aluminum foil or a resin film, and is easily opened by the pipette tip PT. Such a seal member X2 is attached to the cartridge main body X1 by using a hot melt adhesive or by heat fusion.
[0030]
As described above, the cartridge X is used by being mounted on a measuring device. An example of a measuring method using the cartridge X will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.
[0031]
First, after the whole blood is held in the sample tank 5 or the cuvette 6 of the cartridge X, the cartridge X is mounted on a measuring device (not shown). 6 to 9 show an example in which blood is held in the sample tank 5, and hereinafter, a case in which whole blood is held in the sample tank 5 will be described as an example. .
[0032]
The measuring device recognizes that the cartridge X is mounted based on the operation of the user or automatically, and starts the measuring operation. This measurement operation includes measurement of the hemoglobin concentration and measurement of the concentration of the component to be measured.
[0033]
In performing the measurement operation, first, as shown in FIG. 6A, the pipette tip PT is attached to the pipette nozzle PN. Specifically, the pipette nozzle PN of the measuring device is moved, and the pipette tip PT held in the waste tank 4 of the cartridge X is mounted on the pipette nozzle PN.
[0034]
Next, the hemoglobin concentration is measured. The measurement of hemoglobin concentration includes sample preparation, absorbance measurement, and calculation of hemoglobin concentration (hematocrit value).
[0035]
In the sample preparation, first, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the physiological saline in the storage tank 1B is dispensed into the adjustment tank 3 by pipetting operation. For example, a total of 190 μl of physiological saline is dispensed into the adjustment tank 3 by performing a pipetting operation of 95 μl twice.
[0036]
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7A, the buffer solution in the storage tank 1C is dispensed to the reaction tank 2B. For example, 84 μl of the buffer is dispensed into the reaction tank 2B by one pipetting operation. Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the hemoglobin measurement reagent in the storage tank 1A is dispensed to the reaction tank 2A. For example, a total of 154 μl of physiological saline is dispensed into the reaction tank 2A by performing a pipetting operation of 77 μl twice. Subsequently, the pipette tip PT is washed according to the procedure shown in FIG. Specifically, washing of the pipette tip PT is performed by, for example, performing suction / discharge of 110 μl with respect to the physiological saline in the storage tank 1B twice, and then transferring 50 μl of distilled water in the storage tank 1D to the waste tank 4. Is
[0037]
Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, after the blood in the sample tank 5 is dispensed into the adjustment tank 3, the blood is diluted by mixing the liquid in the adjustment tank 3. 28 μl of blood is dispensed into the adjustment tank 3 by, for example, one pipetting operation, and the liquid in the adjustment tank 3 is mixed, for example, by five times of suction / discharge for 110 μl of the liquid. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8B, the pipette tip PT is washed according to the same procedure as described with reference to FIG. 7C. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), after the diluted blood in the adjustment tank 3 is dispensed into the reaction tank 2A, the liquid in the reaction tank 2A is mixed, thereby completing the sample adjustment for hemoglobin measurement. . 28 μl of diluted blood is dispensed into the reaction tank 2A by, for example, one pipetting operation, and the liquid in the reaction tank 2A is mixed by, for example, five times of suction / discharge for 110 μl of the liquid.
[0038]
On the other hand, the absorbance measurement is performed by irradiating monochromatic light from the side of the reaction tank 2A and measuring the amount of light transmitted through the reaction tank 2A at that time. The monochromatic light is selected depending on the type of the reagent for measuring hemoglobin, and for example, one having a wavelength of 540 nm is used. On the other hand, the calculation of the hemoglobin concentration is performed, for example, by substituting the difference between the reference absorbance and the measured absorbance into an arithmetic expression. From the hemoglobin concentration thus obtained, a hematocrit value can be calculated. However, the hematocrit value may be directly calculated based on the measured absorbance without calculating the hemoglobin concentration.
[0039]
When the measurement of the hemoglobin concentration (hematocrit value) is completed, the concentration of the measurement target component is measured as described above. The measurement of the concentration of the component to be measured includes sample preparation, absorbance measurement, and concentration calculation.
[0040]
In preparing the sample, first, as shown in FIG. 9A, the pipette tip PT is washed according to the same procedure as described with reference to FIG. 7C. Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the diluted blood in the adjustment tank 3 is dispensed into the reaction tank 2B, and the liquid in the adjustment tank 3 is mixed. 28 μl of the diluted sample is dispensed into the reaction tank 2B by, for example, one pipetting operation, and the liquid in the reaction tank 2B is mixed by, for example, five times of suction / discharge for 85 μl of the liquid.
[0041]
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9C, the pipette tip PT is washed using distilled water in the storage tank 1D. Washing of the pipette tip PT is performed, for example, by transferring and sucking 110 μl of distilled water in the storage tank 1D twice and then transferring 110 μl of distilled water in the storage tank 1D to the waste tank 1D. Finally, as shown in FIG. 9D, the latex suspension in the storage tank 1E is dispensed into the reaction tank 2B, and the liquid in the reaction tank 2B is mixed. For example, 28.2 μl of the latex suspension is dispensed into the reaction tank 2B by, for example, one pipetting operation, and mixing of the liquid in the reaction tank 2B is performed, for example, by three times of suction / discharge for 110 μl of the liquid. Done by
[0042]
On the other hand, the absorbance measurement is performed by irradiating monochromatic light from the side of the reaction tank 2B and measuring the amount of light transmitted through the reaction tank 2B at that time. Monochromatic light is selected depending on the component to be measured and the immunoreactive substance carried on the latex suspension to be used. On the other hand, the calculation of the concentration of the component to be measured is performed, for example, by substituting the difference between the reference absorbance and the measured absorbance into an arithmetic expression. The concentration of the measurement target component thus obtained is corrected based on the previously obtained hematocrit value.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the case where a plurality of grooves 1Eb (see FIGS. 3 and 4) having a V-shaped cross section are formed in the storage tank 1E as the adhesion liquid moving means has been described as an example. It is not limited to. For example, instead of the storage tank 1E, or in addition to the storage tank 1E, other storage tanks 1A to 1D may be provided with the adhesion liquid moving means. Further, the form of the attached liquid moving means is not limited to the forms shown in FIGS. That is, the adhesion liquid moving means may be formed as a groove 1Eb having a semicircular cross section as shown in FIG. 10A or a groove 1Eb having a rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. 10B. The attached liquid moving means may be formed as a groove 1Eb 'extending in a spiral shape as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, or as a groove (not shown) extending in an oblique direction. Of course, the adhesion liquid moving means may be formed as a convex part.
[0044]
The present invention is not limited to the case where blood is used as a sample, but is applied to a cartridge configured to analyze other samples such as urine and saliva, and a liquid storage container for storing a liquid (including a sample). can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a cartridge according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 1 and an enlarged plan view of a main part thereof.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 for explaining the function of a groove formed in the storage tank.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining an example of a measuring method using the cartridge shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining an example of a measuring method using the cartridge shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining an example of a measurement technique using the cartridge shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining an example of a measurement technique using the cartridge shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of a cartridge showing another example of the adhesion liquid moving means.
11A is an enlarged plan view of a main part of a cartridge showing still another example of the adhesion liquid moving means, and FIG. 4B is a view for explaining the adhesion liquid moving means shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional cartridge.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part for describing a conventional example of a technique for removing an adhering liquid.
[Explanation of symbols]
X Cartridge X2 Sealing member (closing means)
1A to 1E Storage tank (storage section)
2A-2C Reaction tanks 1Aa-1Ea, 2Aa-2Ca Upper opening 1Eb Groove (adhesion liquid moving means)

Claims (11)

A liquid storage container having an upper opening, and a storage portion for storing a liquid, and closing means for closing the upper opening,
The storage unit is characterized in that a liquid attached to the vicinity of the upper opening or the inner surface of the storage unit is provided with an attached liquid moving unit for moving the liquid toward the bottom of the storage unit. Liquid storage container. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the adhesion liquid moving unit is provided on an inner surface of the storage unit. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the closing unit is a sheet material. The liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the adhesion liquid moving means is a concave portion or a convex portion. The liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adhesion liquid moving means extends vertically. 6. The adhesive liquid moving means according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the adhesive liquid moving means is in contact with a liquid surface in a state where a target amount of liquid is stored in the storage section. A liquid storage container according to any one of the above. The liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage section is for storing a liquid containing at least one of a reagent, a diluent, and a cleaning agent. The liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adhering liquid moving means is formed integrally with the storage portion by resin molding. One or more storage tanks having a top opening and containing a liquid containing at least one of a reagent, a diluent, and a cleaning agent; and a storage tank having a top opening and providing a reaction field. A cartridge comprising one or more reaction vessels and closing means for closing the upper opening,
At least one of the one or more storage tanks and the reaction tank has an adhering liquid moving means for moving liquid adhering near an upper opening of the tank or on an inner surface of the tank downward. Wherein the cartridge is provided. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the reagent is necessary for generating an immune reaction. The cartridge according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the reagent is obtained by dispersing an immunoreactive substance showing specific reactivity to a specific component in a sample in a liquid while being supported on solid particles. .

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